India crash to big defeat after Murali-Mendis magic

July 26, 2008 (AFP) – Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis made a mockery of India’s strong batting reputation as Sri Lanka won the opening Test by a record innings and 239 runs here on Saturday. But Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene requested the officials to review the decisions under a new experimental rule and they changed their decisions after consulting TV umpire Rudi Koertzen of South Africa.

Sehwag was trapped leg-before by Muralitharan, while Tendulkar was caught by a diving Tillakaratne Dilshan at leg-slip off the same bowler after TV replays showed the ball hit pad and bat.

India failed to cope with spin for a second successive time in the match, with opener Gautam Gambhir top-scoring with 43.

Venkatsai Laxman, promoted in the batting order following his first-innings 56, contributed 21 this time before being trapped leg-before by Mendis, while Gambhir was stumped off Muralitharan after being beaten in the flight.

Muralitharan earlier took 5-84 in the first innings and Mendis 4-72. Maverick off-spinner Muralitharan finished the match with 11 wickets as India were shot out for 138 in

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